So I went to see "The Watchmen" at the IMAX in SF last night. Great movie for those that are fans.

Anyways, saw a commercial for the new Kia Soul during the previews. Pretty good commercial, very familiar looking car. It looks like they took more than a hint or two from the MINI Cooper in a design sense. I looked it up this AM and see that size is very similar, engine for the US is standard at 142 horses (smoked by the MCS), but the price is about $10K less than a minimally optioned MCS.

Thoughts? I've never been impressed by a KIA before, but the commercial last night got me *this* close to it.

 

I think it looks cool. It's styling reminds me of cars seen in the various 'Ghost in the Shell' anime series and movies. Which is a good thing.

 

I have to agree with you cgoss, the KIA SOUL has some real appeal to it. Perhaps it is because they took so many design hints from the MINI as you said. Though it doesn't have pinache and style of a mini it is cool looking. For those of you out there who have teens beging for a MINI, the SOUL my be an option. Now I would like to see a commercial of Dodges "Mini" contender.

 

I'm not sure you can judge a car by a Commercial?? Have you actually gotten up close to one, or sat in it?? It was at the Portland International Auto Show when it was here in early February. Hubby is potentially looking at the Kia Soul to replace our 2001 Dodge Durango next year. The Soul appeared to be very well appointed compared to others in its class. Quality of Fit and Finish was outstanding, IMHO. Comfortable seating, room for EVERYTHING, a Towing Capacity of 1500lbs. With the 100,000 Mile Warranty it certainly is something to look at if the competition is 'way over priced'.

It will come down to a Test Drive, he's not looking for something that handles like our Molly, but would like it to 'get out of the way' if needed. So engine performance will be more of a factor than handling, but even still it seems to have the components needed for a smooth ride and good handling.

I'd be interested to see if anyone has actually done a Test Drive and hear what their opinions are.

Just my 02 cents.

 

Frankly, I'd rather have a Rio....less pretentious-looking.

 

I think you've got the target wrong, MINI's too unique and too much of a niche market to really aim at, I think they're more after a piece of the Scion pie and in that case I think it's a pretty decent package. It's down 14hp from the xB but delivers better economy, and I don't think most xB buyers are terribly performance oriented so this is a good trade-off.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...s/4306145.html

 

The Soul took nothing from the MINI - other than the idea that people are willing the drive smaller cars as long as they're still nice. I think they were aiming more at the xB market than the MINI market, because it certainly doesn't behave like a MINI. We've had one for a while and it's pretty cool. I'm sure the production version will be even better. All the guys even like it. There's tons of room and it's pretty comfortable. The 1.6 will be alright with the manual and the 2.0 is plenty for something that little.

 

Looks to me like a Huffy-Puffy Scion

 

It's in the same Ball Park as the Nissan Cube, which was also at the show, but you were unable to get close, due to it being a 'featured' auto...up on the turning platform. But as Nissan's go it was UGLY!! At least the Soul has some character!!

And no, it will never compete with the MINI, it's considered a CrossOver!!??

 

Kia...Re-badged Hyundai!

I'm just not into korean cars.

 

Ethnic preferences aside, Hyundai and Kia are separate companies (thought Hyundai owns a majority stake in Kia) and operate as such on every level except R&D. Combining those facilities was part of the reorganization that happened after the asian market collapse a few years back. The only true corporate twin is the minivan which is produced by Kia and sold to Hyundai (there's a long story about why there isn't a Hyundai minivan).

 

Sorry, but I'm an asian that likes European cars.

I wanted a fast, fun, cute looking car...MINI is it!

 

hhmm... maybe will test drive it when it appear in showroom..

 

No need to be sorry. I drive my MINI to work for them every day. Be nice (for my paycheck) if everyone bought a Hyundai or Kia as a second car, but what's life without choices?

 

I'd be curious to hear the story, if you have a link to it. There are usually some pretty interesting reasons why certain companies don't offer a particular type of car, and they generally boil down to the likes/dislikes of one or more of the executives. That's why Honda went almost 30 years without a convertible, and as far as I know, they still haven't made a production car with a supercharger or turbocharger.

 

Funny how KIAs are looking better than newer MINIs.

 

I like it, a lot. I also like the Nissan Cube, a lot. I'd wouldn't get either one though because the engines are tuned for economy, not performance. Now if they did a SOUL or CUBE turbo? Things that make me go hhhmmmmm....... Still would never be a MINI. Well, it might be like an R60! Oops, who said that?

 

I sat in a Soul tonight at the auto show and it was horrible. The seats are hard and the armrest was already broken (first night of the show, brand new soul). It felt very cheap and it has a warning on the visor not to take turns too fast because it can roll over. I didn't like it at all. I also the Nissan Cube there and it looks very cool. I'm excited to test drive one when they come out.

 

Look on the visor of anything that isn't a passenger car and it'll have that same warning.

As to why there isn't a Hyundai minivan, it's exactly that. There was one, and The Chairman didn't like it, so it got canned. Then he decided that Hyundai still needed to sell a van but it was too late to bring it back to life or design a new one, so they just bought the Kia van, changed it a little, and called it a Hyundai. It's the only vehicle that's truly a corporate twin.

 

Acura RDX is turbocharged, but that doesn't really seem to be working out for Honda.

I spent some time with the Souls that were on display at the LA Auto Show. I think some of you are expecting too much from a $14k car. Given what they are competing with, I think it will be very competitive. It's the best looking inside and out and feels well put together. Also the best to drive and most economical, apparently.

 

It's not a MINI competitor. It's an alternative to the Civic/Corolla/Matrix-type economy cars, but with more character (or, soul...) and a bit of a funkier design. Just like the Cube. Neither is great to drive, but they should be fairly reliable, frugal, practical, but more funky than other offerings. With that, they should appeal to younger, 1st-time new car buyers, just like Scion does.

 

still, a Kia.... low quality disposable car.

 

[FONT=Arial]http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/video-kia-soul-reinterprets-the-hampster-dance/[/FONT]

Good laugh for a Friday morning.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if 10 years from now Hyundai was a better consumer choice than Honda or Toyota.

I wouldnt buy a Kia in the near future, but a Hyundai? Yea.

Elantra touring, Azera, Genesis coupe and sedan, yum!

 

Cute commercial. Looks like they're aiming at the Scion as well with all the customizing options and starting at under 14k